By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos
An Ogun State based herbalist is now cooling his heels over his inability to explain the mystery surrounding the death of two of his children and their secret burial.
The suspect, identified simply as Ogunfadeke was alleged to have starved, confined and tortured the children aged 18 and 17 years to death at his residence at Ijebu-ode, before relocating to Ibiade area of the state.
Our correspondent gathered that the atrocity of Ogunfadeke was exposed by his last child, who eventually revealed it to his aunty in Ibiade.
Ogunfadeke’s arrest, as learnt, was consequent upon a complaint of alleged murder by his estranged wife to the Amotekun Corps.
The ex-wife, now remarried in Warri Delta State, one Busola Olusegun, in her statement, said that the suspect took custody of the three children after their marriage broke up.
The Commander, Ogun State Security Network (Amotekun Corps) CP David Akinremi (rtd), who made the disclosure in a release, said the suspect admitted the alleged confinement of the children for months, but denied not feeding them and being responsible for their death.
Akinremi however, expressed curiosity over the defence of the suspect and failure to locate the hospital where he claimed the children died and where they were buried for possible exhumation.
The release reads, ” The above suspect was arrested by Operatives of Amotekun Corps in Ibiade Waterside Local Government Area of the State following complaint of suspected murder reported by his ex-wife, one Busola Otusegun.
” According to the complainant, when her marriage to the suspect broke up some years back, the ex-husband insisted he wanted the custody of their three children whose age ranges from 18, 17, and 16 which was agreed upon. Though she relocated to Warri, Delta State and got married there, she was in constant tourch with the suspect concerning the welfare of the three (3) children and was always told all was well with them. She however did not have direct access to any of them (children).
“:On 30th March, 2023, one of the three children came across his aunty in Ibiade where he currently live with his father (suspect) and narrated their experience with their father which led to the death of his two (2) elder siblings – Yusuf Ogunfadeke ‘M’ 18 years and Dasola Ogunfadeke ‘F’ 17 years between April and June, 2022 in Ijebu-Ode where they were all living with the suspect until he relocated back to Ibiade.
” According to him, their father (suspect) chained and locked them in a solitary confinement, without food and water for over three (3) months which led to the death of the two (2) siblings but he miraculously survived the ordeal.
” The suspect, when interrogated, though admitted the alleged confinement of the children for months, denied not feeding them and being responsible for their death. According to him, his action was based on the children’s involvement in stealing hence the need to ensure they are prevented from such criminal action.
” He further claim that the two (2) deceased were taken to hospital for treatment at different times, they fell ill but unfortunately died in the process.
” What is however curious about his defence is that the hospital where he claimed the two children died in Ijebu Ode could neither be located nor where he allegedly buried them behind a rented apartment he lived in Ijebu-Ode before relocating to his present abode in Ibiade with the third child for possible exhumation be traced. The fact that he refused to make the incidents known to any member of the family also gives course for concern moreso when the suspect is a herbalist, thus further fueling the suspicion of having killed the deceased for possible rituals.
” Consequently, the case is being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation with a view to establishing further facts that will facilitates his prosecution”.
